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Vitro And Pre Implantation Genetic Diagnosis

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In-virto fertilization (IVF) and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) can both be used when there is difficulty for a couple to naturally conceive on their own. IVF is defined as a complex series of procedures used to treat fertility or genetic problems and assist with the conception of a child. During IVF, mature eggs are collected from your ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. IVF is the most effective assisted form of reproduction. PGD is defined as the testing of pre-implantation stage embryos or oocytes for genetic defects. It has been developed for couples whose potential offspring are at risk of severe Mendelian disorders, structural chromosome abnormalities or mitochondrial disorders.

Over time PGD has become a socio-scientific issue, this means its a controversial issue relating to science. PGD falls into this category because it boarders on multiple options with looking into a person’s ethics. For ethical reasons its becomes an issue when looking at selective terminations and advancements on PGD. Many people believe that life begins with fertilization, PGD gives couples the chance to screen many fertilized embryos to see if they have diseases including Cystic Fibrosis and Huntington’s. If they do carry this gene then the couples can choose to terminate the embryo. Or if they form many ‘healthy’ embryos then the couples have to decide which one to keep. Causing a social debate on the ethics of this decision, whether this is taking a life or not? There is

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